Q: According to media reports, Chinese naval vessels have arrived in Yemen to evacuate Chinese nationals there. Please confirm this and tell us more details.

A: The security situation in Yemen has been worsening since March 26. The Chinese government gives top priority to the security of Chinese citizens and institutions in Yemen, and has taken prompt actions to orderly evacuate Chinese citizens there. Under the unified deployment, the Chinese naval fleet on escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters has sailed to Yemen to evacuate Chinese citizens there. Up to now, 122 Chinese citizens have been safely transported from Yemen to Djibouti thanks to the emergency coordination between the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry and the Chinese embassies in Yemen and Djibouti and the consulate general in Aden. The Chinese Embassy in Djibouti is helping them return to the motherland as soon as possible.

Chinese Ambassador to Yemen Tian Qi and the working staff remaining at the Chinese embassy and consulate there keep performing their duties, communicating closely with parties concerned to evacuate over 400 people left there in an orderly and safe way as soon as possible.

In this evacuation mission, Yemen, Djibouti and parties concerned have provided us with substantial assistance. We hearby express our heartfelt gratitude to them.

Q: First, where is the Chinese Ambassador to Yemen now? Is he in Aden or Sanaa? Second, China expresses gratitude to parties concerned in Yemen, and who are they in specific? Third, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has submitted a draft resolution to the UN, asking for an arms embargo on groups that spoil peace and the political process in Yemen. What is China's response ?

A: On your first question, the Chinese Ambassador to Yemen and the working staff remaining in the embassy and consulate are sticking to their posts. Where they can help Chinese nationals evacuate in the most effective way, where they will be.

On your second question, we are in close communication with all parties, in a bid to ensure the early, safe and orderly withdrawal of Chinese nationals in Yemen.

On your third question, we closely monitor the situation in Yemen, and hope relevant parties can politically resolve the Yemeni crisis at an early date. We once again call on all parties in Yemen to implement relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and GCC proposals, and restore stability and normal order to Yemen as soon as possible.

Q: Representatives from parties concerned have arrived at Lausanne, Switzerland on March 28 and 29 for the Iranian nuclear issue negotiation. Please tell us more about China's expectations for this round of negotiation and the work China has done.

A: Positive changes have shown up in the negotiation on the Iranian nuclear issue, and considerable progress has been made. The Chinese side hopes that all parties in the negotiation can seize the opportunity, display flexibility, make political decisions and strive for a breakthrough so that a comprehensive agreement that is equitable, balanced and mutually beneficial can be sealed at an early date.

As a member of the P5+1, China has been playing a positive and constructive role in the negotiation and making enormous efforts to push for the comprehensive, enduring and proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue. Foreign Minister Wang Yi is now in Lausanne, Switzerland for the P5+1 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and in discussion with his counterparts about the major remaining problems in the negotiation. China will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with relevant parties and push for fruitful results of the negotiation at an early date.

Q: First, media reports say that the Philippines is to downgrade the dispute with Malaysia concerning Sabah in exchange for the support of Malaysia on the South China Sea arbitration it filed. Do you have any comment on this? Second, the latest round of negotiation on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is being held in Tajikistan. Can you give us more details?

A: On your first question, I have no information about the talks between Malaysia and the Philippines. China holds a clear position on the South China Sea issue, as well as the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines. We are willing to work together with relevant countries to properly resolve the disputes through dialogue and negotiation and safeguard peace and stability of the South China Sea.

On your second question, I'd like to point you to the Finance Ministry for specific consultation on the AIIB. The Chinese side is soliciting opinions from the current prospective founding members following multilateral procedures, and will communicate and consult with parties concerned on the charter of the AIIB. As a new multilateral development institution that is open and inclusive, the AIIB is expected to make positive contributions to infrastructure building in the Asia-Pacific region.

Q: According to media reports, tomorrow is the deadline for countries to submit their post-2020 pledges on carbon emission reduction to the UN. So far the EU and Switzerland have already done so. Is China planning to submit the pledge by tomorrow?

A: First one thing to clarify: March 31 is not the loose deadline for countries to submit emission reduction commitment to the UN. According to relevant resolutions passed at the 2013 UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw and the 2014 Conference in Lima, all countries should report their post-2020 "intended nationally determined contributions" on combating climate change before the Paris Conference to be held in late 2015. Countries that are fully prepared can submit their "contributions" in the first quarter of 2015, and some developed countries have already done so. We have noted this and welcome this. It is our belief that "contributions" of all countries should be comprehensive and balanced, covering all elements including mitigation, adaptation, funding, technology and capacity building. China is actively studying this and strives to submit China's "contributions" in the first half of this year with the least delay.

Q: Russian President Putin will come to China in September for the commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Is China worried that leaders from some countries may be unwilling to attend the commemorations? Can you update us on the communication between China and the US, Australia, New Zealand, France, the UK and other countries?

A: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Many countries as well as the UN will hold various activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Second World War and the founding of the UN. China has said on multiple occasions that the Chinese government will hold grand commemorations in Beijing this September to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, in a bid to memorize history, honor the fallen heroes, cherish peace and open up to the future. All peace-and-justice-loving countries in the world will take this year as an important opportunity to review history, draw upon experience and lessons and better safeguard peace that comes at a great cost. Relevant commemorations are in preparation.

China has sent invitations to leaders of all relevant countries and international organizations. We will keep in touch with parties concerned through diplomatic channels.

Q: First, officials from Puntland, Somalia said that more and more ships from Iran, the ROK and China are involved in illegal fishing off the Somali waters. UN officials said that the rise of illegal fishing may lead to rampant piracy. Has China asked its fishermen to stop illegal fishing? Second, a report says that a US website was under hacker attack, and the source of the attack was from China. How do you respond?

A: On your first question, the Chinese government is opposed to illegal fishing, and we have been asking Chinese citizens to fish in accordance with the law. We also hope countries concerned can take tangible steps to safeguard the security and rights and interests of the Chinese fishermen.

On your second question, it is quite odd that every time a website in the US or any other country is under attack, there will be speculation that Chinese hackers are behind it. I'd like to remind you that China is one of the major victims of cyber attacks. We have been underlining that China hopes to work with the international community to speed up the making of international rules and jointly keep the cyber space peaceful, secure, open and cooperative. It is hoped that all parties can work in concert to address hacker attacks in a positive and constructive manner.

Q: The Arab League Summit was held in Egypt to discuss the formation of a joint Arab military force to help Arab states deal with national security threats and combat terrorism. What is China's comment on this?

A: We have taken note of the Arab League Summit. China hopes that the Yemeni crisis can be politically resolved as soon as possible, and calls on all parties to implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions and GCC proposals and restore stability and normal order to Yemen.

Q: The Chinese naval fleet is now evacuating Chinese nationals in Yemen near the Gulf of Aden. In addition to this, will the Chinese vessels also undertake peacekeeping missions there?

A: At the request of the Somali government, the Chinese naval fleet has been on escort mission in the Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden following relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council since 2008. Apart from protecting ships from China and other countries passing by and the security of relevant personnel, the Chinese naval fleet has also participated in humanitarian assistance when necessary.

The Chinese naval fleet is currently on evacuation mission of Chinese nationals. The escort mission will be resumed in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali waters after the evacuation is completed.